Feathered paddle-type propulsion mechanism



April 3, 1962 c. D. TOWN 3,027,863

FEATHERED PADDLE-TYPE PROPULSION MECHANISM Filed June 22, 1959 V Clini'onD. Town INVENTOR.

- bers.

Unite rates atent 3,027,863 FEATHERED PADDLE-TYPE PROPULSION MECHANISM Clinton D. Town, 5305 SE. Bush St., Portland, Oreg. Filed .lnne 22, E59, Ser. No. 822,077 4 Claims. {Cl. 115-26) This invention relates to a propeller or propulsion mechanism for a boat, and more particularly to in improved construction for such a mechanism that employs upstanding paddles that are feathered as they move in and out of the water. Mechanism of this general description is disclosed in an application of applicant entitled Boat and Propeller Mechanism, Serial No. 745,529, filed June 30, 1958, now Patent 2,918,892.

As discussed in the earlier application, a form of construction for a paddle-type propeller mechanism comprises a pair of laterally offset crank members that are rotatable about parallel but radially oifset rotation axes, one of the crank members ordinarily being located forwardly of the other. Paddles for the propulsion mechanism are mounted intermediate the crank members, and means is provided connecting each of the paddles to each of the crank members. When the two crank members are rotated, the paddles move in substantially circular course that extends about a phantom axis parallel to the rotation axes of the crank members. By proper placement of the rotation axes of the crank members, a construction is possible wherein a multiple number of paddles, considerably in excess of three, may be mounted between the crank members with all the paddles moving in a common circular path. The result is smooth propulsion of a boat, since veering tendencies are not introduced and at any given time one or more paddles is positioned in the water.

in such a construction, because of the offset of the rotation axes of the crank members, stresses are set up that, if not properly taken care of, tend to twist the pad dies in their mountings and to perform the crank mem- This is particularly troublesome if the paddle mechanism is driven at high speeds. While bending and twisting of the parts could be taken care of by increasing their mass and size, this expedient adds weight and considerable expense. In this connection, it should be brought out that the propulsion mechanism is ideally suited for small sporting and pleasure boats, and high cost is a decided disadvantage.

A general object of the invention is to provide an improved paddle-type propulsion mechanism with offset crank members mounting the paddles that comprises axles for the crank members constructed and arranged so that ends thereof are interconnected by strengthening or stabilizing means eifectively to inhibit relative skewing of the axles, the axles in this manner partially supporting each other.

Another general object is to provide an improved mounting for the paddles on the crank members, such mounting comprising a pair of paddle spindles, one mounted on each of the crank members, and means interconnecting adjacent ends of the spindles so that skewing and twisting of the spindles is inhibited.

In a specific and preferred embodiment of the invention, the crank members take the form of a pair of disc cranks laterally offset and mounted on a pair of radially oifset, dead axles. Disc crank members are preferred, since such have considerable strength in relation to their mass, may be prepared from relatively inexpensive materials, and have excellent resistance to distortion. The dead axles project into the space between the disc members and have overlapped ends in the space that are interjoined by a pair of spaced bar portions, each affixed to an overlapped portion of each axle. The spacing of the bar portions and their rigid connection with the axles resists skewing of these inner axle ends. The paddles are mounted intermediate the disc crank members, each on a pair of paddle spindles having overlapping ends disposed in the space between the disc members, and these also are fixed together by spaced bar members. These latter bar members continue from the spindles to join with opposite sides of a paddle. Since the paddles are feathered, it is necessary, with the spindles fixed together, that the spindles be rotatably mounted in the respective crank members. Through the use of the overlapping paddle spindles and overlapping dead axles, a rigid, thoroughly interbraced structure is possible that is ideally suited to withstand the stresses and strains to which such paddle mechanisms ordinarily is subjected.

Thus it is a more specific object of the invention to provide a propeller mechanism employing offset rotation axes for a pair of laterally spaced crank members, wherein the crank members are mounted on dead axles, and wherein these axles project into the space between the crank members and are interconnected in this space by means preventing skewing of the axles relative to each other.

Another object is to provide such a construction where the axles are dead axles and have inner ends that overlap and where the overlapping ends are held from skewing with bar portions spaced axially on the dead axles and fixed thereto.

Another more specific object is to provide improved mounting for the paddles of such a propulsion mechanism that comprise a pair of substantially parallel paddle spindles with overlapping ends fixed together, said spindles having opposite ends rotatably mounted in the crank members. i

A related object is to provide a mounting for the paddles wherein the paddle spindles are fixed together by means of rigid strengtheners spaced axially on the spindles.

The invention is characterized by other objects, features and advantages, and is described hereinbelow in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a plan view of a catamaran boat such as may be provided with the propulsion mechanism of this invention, and showing the general location of the propulsion mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a view of rear portions of the boat in FIG. 1:, slightly enlarged, and with portions of hood structure present broken away to illustrate details of the propulsion mechanism; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, indicated generally at 10 is a catamaran boat having laterally spaced pontoons or boat hulls 12 and 14. At the rear of the boat is a rudder 16 disposed between hulls 12, 14 and used for steering. The boat is propelled using foot power. Thus a pedal mechanism 13 is provided With bicycle-type pedals 19 for turning the same. An operators seat is indicated at 20. A person occupying seat 26 is in position to place his feet on pedals 19 and revolve mechanism 18 with turning of a drive chain 22. The boat is steered from seat 20 by way of rudder lines 24 extending rearwardly from seat 20 on either side of the boat and connected to the rudder through a tiller 26. Rearwardly of seat 20 is a hood 28 which covers the propulsion mechanism for the boat, the latter being more specifically described hereinbelow.

The boat construction just described is typical of those wherein a feather-type propulsion mechanism may be used advantageously. While a particular catamaran boat has been described, it should be understood that other types of boats may be propelled by the mechanism of the invention, such boats having a conventional single hull or a hull with a forked end for mounting the mechanism. The particular type of boat forms no part of the invention.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, hood 28 covers a propulsion or propeller mechanism, indicated generally at 30. This comprises a pair of rotatable disc crank members 32, 34, laterally spaced from each other, and plural paddle means indicated at 36, disposed in the space between the crank members and mounted so that on rotation of the members the paddles move in and out of the water and also are feathered.

More specificially, secured to hulls l2 and 14 on either side of mechanism 30 are a pair of brackets or mounting plates 38. Aflixed to these mounting plates and extending inwardly therefrom are dead axles 40, 41. Rotatably mounted on these axles, by bearings 42., are disc crank members 32, 3'4, and these are mounted intermediate the axle ends. Thus the dead axles project into the space between the crank members, and have a set of ends, designated 40a and 41a, that are adjacent.

The axles 40, 41 are maintained in parallel alignment and prevented from skewing by strengthening or stabilizing means indicated at 44 comprising bar portions 44a and 44b spaced axially on the axles and set parallel to one another. Bar portions 44a, 44b extend perpendicularly between the overlapped portions of the axles and are rigidly fixed as by welding at opposite ends to each of the axles. Thus a rectangular skeleton is framed. The bars function. as compression and tension members when stresses are exerted by the axle ends tending to cause their deformation. It should be noted that through the use of dead axles the connections of the bars with the axles may be fixed ones.

While axles 4t), 41 mount the centers of the oifset disc crank members, the lateral spacing of peripheries of the disc crank members is maintained by means of paddle spindles t 51, forming part of the paddle means 36. The paddle spindles are radially offset and parallel to one another, and have overlapped inner ends 50a, 51a in the space between the crank members. As in the case of the axles, the paddle spindles are secured and maintained in parallelism through bar portions spaced axially on the spindles, these being designated at 54, 56. The bar portions extend normally of the spindles and have opposite end portions fixed to the paddle spindles as by welding. The outer ends of the spindles are rotatably mounted in the crank members to enable pivotal movement of the bar portions 54, 56 relative to the disc crank members on rotation of the crank members. Thus the ends are journaled in bearings 58 of the crank members.

Each paddle means 36 also includes an upright paddle portion 60. These are secured to bar portions 54, 5'6 as by connections 61. The connections of the bar portions with the paddle portions are at opposite sides of the paddle portions, and this contributes to inhibiting twisting of the paddle when it is drawn through the water.

The propulsion mechanism receives its drive from drive chain 22 through a sprocket 62 secured to crank member 32. Sprocket 62 constitutes means connected to a crank member for rotating the propulsion mechanism.

It will be noted with special reference to FIG. 3 that the journaled ends of the paddle spindles are disposed at regular angular modules about the rotation axes of the crank members. The various paddles are disposed in a circle about a phantom axis extending parallel to the rotation axes of the crank members, and indicated in FIG. 3 for the embodiment shown generally at 64. On rotation of the crank members, the orbits described by the various hearings or mountings for the paddle spindles on one crank member overlap with the orbits described by the bearings or mountings for the paddle spindles on the other crank member. As a result, three or more paddles may be mounted for movement in a common path without the paddles coming in the way of each other, as discussed 4- in the application having Serial No. 745,529, referred to above.

The construction described herein has the advantage of enabling firm holding of the various paddles in proper position during their movement through the Water. There is a minimum amount of distortion in the members due to stresses imposed thereon. The components of the propeller mechanism may be produced inexpensively from ordinary materials.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In propulsion mechanism for a boat having a pair of laterally spaced apart and rotatable crank members and paddle members intermediate the crank members connected to each, a dead axle mounting each crank member with the crank member rotatable thereon, said axles extending parallel to one another and having a set of ends disposed between the crank members that are adjacent each other, means mounting the axles on the boat at locations spaced outwardly of said crank members, means intermediate the crank members fixing together the adjacent set of axle ends, and drive means connected to at least one of said crank members for rotating the propulsion mechanism.

2. In propulsion mechanism for a boat having a pair of laterally spaced and rotatable crank members and paddle means intermediate the crank members connected to each, a dead axle mounting each crank member with the crank member rotatable thereon, said axles extending parallel to one another and having a set of ends disposed between the crank members, portions of said axles adjacent said set of ends overlapping, means mounting the axles on the boat at locations spaced outwardly of said cr'ank mem bers, and a pair of strengthener bars set substantially paral= lel to one another, each aflixed adjacent each end to an axle, joining together the overlapping portions of the axles.

3. In a boat, a hull, a pair of rotatable crank members set laterally apart from each other with a space thereinbetween and mounted on said hull, said crank members rotating about parallel and radially offset rotation axes extending transversely of the hull, plural paddle means intermediate the crank members constructed to propel the boat on rotation of the members, and means connecting each paddle means to each of said crank members whereby the paddle means is feathered on rotation of said crank members, the means connecting each paddle means comprising a pair of elongated and parallel but radially ofiset paddle spindles having one set of ends in the space between the crank members and overlapping portions adjacent said one set of ends, the ends opposite said one set of ends being carried by said crank members, one by each of said crank members, means rotatably mounting said opposite set ofyends in said crank members whereby they may rotate relative to the crank members on rotation of the crank members, and rigid means fixed and inmovable with respect to the paddle means and both of said paddle spindles at the overlapping portions thereof forming a rn'gid connection between the paddle means and the paddle spindles.

4. 'In a boat, a hull, a pair of rotatable crank members set laterally apart with a space thereinbetween and mounted on said hull, said crank members rotating about parallel and radially offset rotation axes extending transversely of the hull, plural paddle means intermediate the crank members constructed to propel the boat on rotation of the crank members, and means connecting each paddle means to each of said crank members whereby the paddle means in feathered on rotation of said crank members, the means connecting each paddle means comprising a pair of elongated and parallel paddle spindles having one set of ends disposed in the space between the crank members and overlapping portions adjacent this one set of ends, the ends opposite said one set of ends being carried by said crank members, one by each of said crank members, means rotatably mounting said opposite 6 set of ends on said crank members whereby they may References Cited in the file of this patent rotate relative to the crank members on rotation of the crank members, and means fixing each paddle means to UNITED STATES PATENTS said pair of paddle spindles, the latter means comprising a pair of spaced bar portions, each of which is rigidly 5 2918392 Town 1959 connected to the pair of paddle spindles and to the paddle FOREIGN PATENTS means, the connections with the paddle spindles connecting overlapping portions of the spindles. 22,076 Great Britain of 1909 

